Digital content as a supporting tool in the learning of numeracy among children with Autism Spectrum Disorders in Rwanda: A Thematic content analysis study (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Theoneste Ntalindwa ◽  
Mathias Nduwingoma ◽  
Alphonse Uworwabayeho ◽  
Pascasie Nyirahabimana ◽  
Evariste Karangwa Karangwa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Education System ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Digital Content ◽  
Inclusive Classroom ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Children With Asd

BACKGROUND Teaching children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is difficult in an inclusive classroom since every person on the autism spectrum is unique and their needs are reflected differently. The development of the needs-based strategies which respond to the individual need in the classroom is a major challenge. However, the integration of Information Communication Technologies (ICT) in the education system brought the opportunity to support the inclusion of children with ASD. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to analyse and integrate online content into the Rwandan education system to support learning mathematics of children with ASD in inclusive schools. METHODS A focus group study with discussions, analyzed with thematic content analysis was conducted from April to November 2019. The researcher conducted seven focus group discussions (FGDs) with 56 teachers from seven schools and 14 parents. Each of the FGDs took approximately one hour. The interview questions grouped into two categories: (1) General knowledge about teaching children with ASD and (2) Analysis of selected online video content of early math counting numbers. The video was used to understand current methodologies used in teaching children with ASD, possibilities of adaptation of the content in the current teaching environment, future challenges when the content is adapted and possible solutions to overcome those challenges. All data including audio recordings, field notes, and participants' comments were transcribed, recorded, and analyzed by following the steps recommended in qualitative data analysis. RESULTS From a thematic analysis of the interview transcripts captured during seven focus group discussions, the following themes where identified: (1) Awareness of the existence of ASD among children in schools and community, (2) Acceptability of children with ASD in an inclusive classroom, and in community (3) Methods and models used when teaching children with ASD, (4) Material realities used to improve the learning of children with ASD, (5) the design of educational digital content, (6) Accessibility online educational content, (7) Quality of the content of the educational multimedia, (8) Opportunity of using the translated and recreated content, in and outside the class (9) The relevance of the digital content in the Rwandan education system and (10) Enhancement of the accessibility and quality of the content. We found that participants assumed that the translation, gamification, and recreation of the content would help teach children with ASD. Moreover, they recommended the contextualization of the content, increase the access to digital devices and further research in education of different subjects. CONCLUSIONS Although many studies have identified the possibilities to use ICT in support of the education of children with ASD, few studies are done to recreation, gamification, integration, and development of ICT enabled technologies for the education of children with ASD. The integration of systems designed by global experts and translated into local contexts can bring innovation in teaching children with disabilities. This study is charting new territory in the investigation of online content to meet the real context of schools where children are studying. Further exploration of possible methodologies such as Applied Behavior Analysis or Verbal Behavior and the development of contextualized technologies that respond to the educational needs of children with ASD are recommended.

scholarly journals Nairobi Early Childcare in Slums (NECS) Study Protocol: a mixed-methods exploration of paid early childcare in Mukuru slum, Nairobi

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. e000822
Author(s):  
Robert C Hughes ◽  
Patricia Kitsao-Wekulo ◽  
Sunil Bhopal ◽  
Elizabeth W Kimani-Murage ◽  
Zelee Hill ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Early Years ◽  
Epidemiological Methods ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Early Childcare ◽  
Depth Interviews ◽  
Childcare Providers

IntroductionThe early years are critical. Early nurturing care can lay the foundation for human capital accumulation with lifelong benefits. Conversely, early adversity undermines brain development, learning and future earning.Slums are among the most challenging places to spend those early years and are difficult places to care for a child. Shifting family and work structures mean that paid, largely informal, childcare seems to be becoming the ‘new normal’ for many preschool children growing up in rapidly urbanising Africa. However, little is known about the quality of this childcare.AimsTo build a rigorous understanding what childcare strategies are used and why in a typical Nairobi slum, with a particular focus on provision and quality of paid childcare. Through this, to inform evaluation of quality and design and implementation of interventions with the potential to reach some of the most vulnerable children at the most critical time in the life course.Methods and analysisMixed methods will be employed. Qualitative research (in-depth interviews and focus group discussions) with parents/carers will explore need for and decision-making about childcare. A household survey (of 480 households) will estimate the use of different childcare strategies by parents/carers and associated parent/carer characteristics. Subsequently, childcare providers will be mapped and surveyed to document and assess quality of current paid childcare. Semistructured observations will augment self-reported quality with observable characteristics/practices. Finally, in-depth interviews and focus group discussions with childcare providers will explore their behaviours and motivations. Qualitative data will be analysed through thematic analysis and triangulation across methods. Quantitative and spatial data will be analysed through epidemiological methods (random effects regression modelling and spatial statistics).Ethics and disseminationEthical approval has been granted in the UK and Kenya. Findings will be disseminated through journal publications, community and government stakeholder workshops, policy briefs and social media content.

Supporting the pursuit of professionalism during a crisis

BMJ Leader ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. leader-2021-000458
Author(s):  
William O Cooper ◽  
Nancy M Lorenzi ◽  
Heather A Davidson ◽  
Cynthia A Baldwin ◽  
Daniel M Feinberg ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Essential Elements ◽  
Healthcare Organisation ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Crisis Plans ◽  
Team Members ◽  
Professional Accountability ◽  
Physical Plant

BackgroundCrisis plans for healthcare organisations most often focus on operational needs including staffing, supplies and physical plant needs. Less attention is focused on how leaders can support and encourage individual clinical team members to conduct themselves as professionals during a crisis.MethodsThis qualitative study analysed observations from 79 leaders at 160 hospitals that participate in two national professionalism programmes who shared their observations in focus group discussions about what they believed were the essential elements of leading and addressing professional accountability during a crisis.ResultsAnalysis of focus group responses identified six leadership practices adopted by healthcare organisations, which were felt to be essential for organisations to navigate the crisis successfully. Unique aspects of maintaining professionalism during each phase of the pandemic were identified and described.ConclusionsLeaders need a plan to support an organiation’s pursuit of professionalism during a crisis. Leaders participating in this study identified practices that should be carefully woven into efforts to support the ongoing safety and quality of the care delivered by healthcare organisations before, during and after a crisis. The lessons learnt from the COVID-19 pandemic may be useful during subsequent crises and challenges that a healthcare organisation might experience.

scholarly journals Fenomenologia da Qualidade de Vida de Mães de Crianças Autistas

2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 122-134
Author(s):  
Maria P. M CHAIM ◽  
Sebastião B. C. NETO, ◽  
Aminn y F. PEREIRA, ◽  
Virgínia E. S. M. COSTA
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Primary Objective ◽  
Public Health Services ◽  
Children With Asd ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Phenomenological Psychopathology

The quality of life (QOL) of mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is related to the symptomatic and idiopathic characteristics of the existential condition of the child and is determined by the subjective understandings attributed according to the individual experience. The primary objective of this article is to describe and understand the subjective constructs about the self-referenced QOL of mothers of children with ASD. It is an empirical study, qualitative and based on a reading of phenomenological psychopathology. Participated 10 mothers of children with ASD, users of public health services in Goiânia. The following instruments were used: a sociodemographic and clinical data questionnaire and a semi-structured interview script about QOL. The interviews were submitted to the construction of thematic categories, according to the methodology of Giorgi (1985), and later were correlated with the existential categories of Augras (2004). It was observed that although a standard is sought to understand QOL, each mother has subjective factors that reflect in her way of experiencing the condition of being a mother of a child with special needs. It is concluded that it is the science, when seeking to understand the quality of life of people with similar characteristics, to consider the relevance of the subjective aspects and the meaning that each mother constructs of its own reality.

scholarly journals Development and evaluation of a physical activity intervention informed by participatory research- a feasibility study

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rathi Ramji ◽  
Elisabeth Carlson ◽  
Anders Kottorp ◽  
Sergey Shleev ◽  
Eman Awad ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Intervention Program ◽  
Physical Activity Intervention ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Socially Disadvantaged ◽  
Health Parameters

Abstract Background Despite numerous interventions aiming to improve physical activity in socially disadvantaged populations, physical inactivity remains to be a rising challenge to public health globally, as well as, in Sweden. In an effort to address this challenge, a community-based participatory intervention was developed through active community engagement and implemented in a socially disadvantaged neighborhood in Sweden. The current study aims to present the development and initial evaluation of a participatory research driven physical activity intervention. Methods Fifteen participants (11 females and 4 males) aged 17–59 years volunteered to participate in the physical activity intervention program. The intervention program was evaluated using a longitudinal mixed methods design measuring health impact changes over time through focus group discussions and quality of life surveys. Further additional biomedical health parameters such as levels of glycosylated hemoglobin, blood pressure, levels of oxygen saturation and body mass index were monitored before and after the intervention. Focus group data were analyzed using content analysis with an inductive approach. The pre-and post-test scores from the survey-based quality of life domains, as well as the health parameters were compared using non-parametric and parametric statistics. Results Four themes emerged from the analysis of the focus group discussions including sense of fellowship, striving for inclusion and equity, changing the learner perspective and health beyond illness. The scores for the domains Physical Health, Psychological Health, Social Relationships and Health Satisfaction where significantly higher after participation in the physical activity intervention program compared to the pre-test scores (p < .05)s. There were however, no significant changes in the scores for the environmental domain and overall quality of life after intervention compared to that prior to intervention start. Overall, the biomedical health parameters remained stable within the normal ranges during intervention. Conclusion The focus group discussions and results from the surveys and biomedical measures reveal important findings to understand and further develop the intervention program to promote health equity among citizens in disadvantaged areas. Evaluating the feasibility of such an intervention using multiple approaches contributes to effective implementation of it for larger communities in need.

scholarly journals The Application of AI as Reinforcement in the Intervention for Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD)

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 17
Author(s):  
Jing SHI
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Applied Behavior Analysis ◽  
Developmental Disorder ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Future Application ◽  
Behavioral Deficits ◽  
Children With Asd ◽  
Spectrum Disorders

Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) is a neuro-developmental disorder. There is a tremendous variability in individuals with ASD; however, it is mainly characterized by social behavioral deficits. Across the globe, the prevalence of ASD is fairly consistent and the most current estimates are 1 in 59. There is no biological cure for people with ASD and intervention is widely accepted as the only solution for them to improve the quality of their lives. Among all the treatments, Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) has more quantity of evidence than other methods and it has more studies with the strongest levels of evidence. Using reinforcement is a vital and indispensable part of ABA. Many researches reveal that children with ASD are more likely to become interested in robots or other forms of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and in fact AI is used in the intervention for children with ASD. The application of AI has been proven to be feasible and effective in the interventions. This essay aims at analyzing the effects of the application of AI as reinforcement in ABA and providing suggestions for application of AI in other aspects of ABA intervention. Hopefully this essay will be suggestive for the future application of AI in terms of assisting the intervention for children with ASD in order to reduce the workload and cost.

scholarly journals Factors affecting the education of pre-employment paramedic students during the clinical practicum

2009 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Louise McCall ◽  
Natalie Wray ◽  
Bill Lord
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Student Perception ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Clinical Placement ◽  
Clinical Environment ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Clinical Practicum ◽  
The Impact

Introduction To identify factors that affect the education of pre-employment paramedic students during the clinical practicum. Methods A purposive sampling technique was employed to recruit undergraduate students from the Bachelor of Emergency Health (Paramedic) (BEHP) who had recently completed their first or final clinical placement. Qualitative data was collected via a total of 3 focus group discussions; two focus group discussions were conducted with students on completion of their final placement, and one focus group discussion was conducted with students who had recently completed their first placement. Participants were asked to share their career and placement expectations, placement experiences, career path intentions, and the impact of placements on their career decisions. Results This paper reports on student perception of education in the clinical environment and their impression of the strengths and weaknesses of this model. We identified four major themes: (1) communication, (2) appropriate placements, (3) capacity building and, (4) adequate preparation for students. Conclusion The University, ambulance service and students need to form a relationship to foster the quality of clinical education. Each party needs to adequately communicate and prepare for quality learning to occur in placements. Good mechanisms for the identification of problems early, particularly in relation to student support and case load are necessary. Ongoing evaluation of the quality of clinical placement education is required and should include all parties who are also committed to continuous improvement.

POTENTIAL OF TABLET-PCs IN AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION

2015 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Donna Deegan ◽  
Padraig Wims ◽  
Tony Pettit
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Education System ◽  
Agricultural Education ◽  
Positive Attitude ◽  
Tablet Pc ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Tablet Pcs ◽  
Technical Issues

The incorporation of the tablet-PC into the agricultural education system is explored in this paper. Factors that influence students' acceptance of the tablet-PC have been identified and the use of the tablet-PC in facilitating delivery of formal agricultural education has been investigated. Data were obtained through the use of focus group discussions and key observations during a twenty week pilot study. Focus group discussions highlighted students' positive attitude toward the use of the tablet-PC but emphasised their reservations surrounding teachers' ability to operate the tablet-PC smoothly in the classrooms. It was concluded that major barriers to the successful uptake of technology, such as poor Wi-Fi access and inexperience of teachers to deal with technical issues, would need to be addressed in order to successfully integrate the tablet-PC into agricultural education.

What is needed to improve quality of care for patients with advanced cancer? Results of focus group discussions with staff

2001 ◽  
Vol 37 ◽  
pp. S383 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Tishelman ◽  
L. Backman ◽  
B. Bernhardson ◽  
E. Johansson ◽  
S. Borjeson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Care ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Advanced Cancer ◽  
Improve Quality ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions

scholarly journals UNDERSTANDING THE NEIGHBOURHOOD CHOICE DECISIONS OF MOVERS: AN ANALYSIS OF FOCUS GROUP DISCUSSIONS

2015 ◽  
Vol 76 (14) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zahid Sultan ◽  
Mehdi Moeinaddini ◽  
Zohreh Asadi-Shekari ◽  
Muhammad Zaly Shah
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
Land Use ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Qualitative Methods ◽  
Improve Quality ◽  
Key Factors ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions

Using a qualitative methods approach, this study explores the key factors that influence household neighbourhood choice. Three newly developed residential neighbourhoods have been studied to examine resident decision making around their neighbourhood preferences. Four focus group (n = 4) discussions with 29 individuals who were recent movers to the study areas were conducted to examine the reasons behind neighbourhood choice and the needs of the household. The results revealed that household neighbourhood choice decisions were multi-faceted and complex. The key findings can be classified into six categories: safety, residential environment, neighbourhood facilities, accessibility, economic and demographic factors. Residents emphasised that the combination of land-use and transportation planning may be one important part of multi-layered solutions to improve quality of life in residential neighbourhoods. 

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